Horizontal drilling system with oscillation control
AssigneeVarco I/P, Inc.
InventorJohn Kracik
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for controlling drill string frictional forces during horizontal drilling are provided. The system includes a top drive having a motor that transmits a torque to a drill string to rotate the drill string, and an automated controller operably connected to the top drive to send at least one command signal to the top drive to initiate the rotation of the drill string. The controller monitors torque feedback signals, indicating that a torque limit on the drill string is exceeded, and/or a turn feedback signals indicating that the drill string is stalled to control the direction of the torque applied to the drill string when either the torque limit is exceeded or the drill string stalls.
Claims18
A horizontal drilling system comprising:
- a top drive system comprising a motor that transmits a torque to a drill string to rotate the drill string;
- an automated controller operably connected to the top drive, the automated controller being designed communicate at least one directional command signal to the top drive to initiate the direction of the rotation of the drill string;
- wherein the top drive generates at least one of a torque feedback signal indicating that a torque limit on the drill string is exceeded and a turn feedback signal indicating that the drill string is stalled;
- and
- wherein the controller receives the at least one feedback signal and reverses the direction of the torque applied to the drill string when either the torque limit is exceeded or the drill string stalls.
A process for controlling a horizontal drilling operation comprising:
- commanding a top drive system comprising a motor to transmit a torque to a drill string to rotate the drill string in a particular direction;
- generating at least one of a torque feedback signal indicating that a torque limit on the drill string is exceeded and a turn feedback signal indicating that the drill string is stalled;
- and
- communicating the at least one feedback signal to an automated controller operably connected to the top drive, such that the automated controller outputs at least one directional command signal to the top drive to reverse the direction of the torque applied to the drill string when either the torque limit is exceeded or the drill string stalls.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.